PITTSBURGH, PA – APRIL 03: A general view of PNC Parking during opening day between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the St. Louis Cardinals at PNC Park on April 3, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Major League Baseball is back, but you might not have noticed because the 2016 season was welcomed with a whimper instead of a loaded day full of baseball action. Instead of celebrating the fact the sport is back for the first time since the Royals defeated the Mets in the World Series back on Nov. 1, only a few games were played on the league’s first day.

Six teams played on Sunday’s opening of the 2016 season: the Cardinals, Pirates, Mets, Royals, Blue Jays and Rays. The matchups themselves were fine (who doesn’t love an immediate rematch from the World Series?) but the sheer volume of games left the day feeling empty and uneventful. Strangely, there actually was a fourth game played, but it was a spring training game between the Cubs and Angels. Why hold an exhibition game on the same day other teams are playing games that count?

As if a spring training game on opening day didn’t make sense, the Cardinals and Pirates had an off-day on the second day of their season. Few things zap the energy and life out of a baseball fan who is excited for the season to return than an off-day immediately following opening day. It’s safe to assume the players aren’t too fond of it either. But it’s done in case a home opener is rained out and needs to be made up the next day.

PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 03:  Francisco Cervelli #29 of the Pittsburgh Pirates is caught stealing home by Matt Carpenter #13 of the St. Louis Cardinals in the eighth inning during opening day at PNC Park on April 3, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – APRIL 03: Francisco Cervelli #29 of the Pittsburgh Pirates is caught stealing home by Matt Carpenter #13 of the St. Louis Cardinals in the eighth inning during opening day at PNC Park on April 3, 2016 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Major League Baseball has shifted its focus into having “Opening Day” last well beyond the first actual day of the season. The second day of the year actually carries a bigger punch than the actual opening day as 12 games littered the schedule on Monday. Bad weather ended up claiming a couple of those games, but at least there was a ton of baseball throughout the day to enjoy. “Opening Day” appears to now be viewed as “Opening Week” by MLB, which is fine, but it’s a missed opportunity. The league is easing into the new season the same way an old man would ease into a warm bath.

Instead of just handing out more unwanted criticism in the direction of Major League Baseball, here’s an idea for a solution: Why not have all 30 MLB teams compete on Opening Day?

Having all 30 teams compete on Day 1 of the schedule is a no-brainer from a marketing perspective. The various networks can still pick and choose which games to feature on a national level while fans across the country (and world) all have the same date to mark on their calendar. The league could come up with a catchy title or phrase and market the hell out of the glorious return of baseball.

ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 4: First base is adorned with an Opening Day logo for the game between the Atlanta Braves and the Washington Nationals at Turner Field on April 4, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
ATLANTA, GA – APRIL 4: First base is adorned with an Opening Day logo for the game between the Atlanta Braves and the Washington Nationals at Turner Field on April 4, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***

 

Baseball has very few one-day events with a ton of marketability (something the NFL thrives on) and this would help the league burst through the noise and clutter, with the sports spotlight virtually to itself, and reach younger fans who want nothing more than to be overloaded with content at their fingertips. Spring is back, summer is close and watch as baseball coverage explodes all over your TV, phone or computer all day long.

Other leagues and sports have recognized that you can create a big, marketable event when all teams compete on the same day. The 2015-16 NHL season was supposed to conclude on April 9 with all 30 teams competing. The season will actually end a day later, thanks to two games having to be rescheduled during the year, but the meaningful intentions were there. It’s not totally an apples-to-apples comparison, but why not build up the first day of the year with a bit more substance?

Major League Baseball has a ton of things to work on and ways to improve the sport, so Opening Day scheduling probably ranks pretty low on the totem pole. Still, it’s a relatively simple change which could have a big impact on fan excitement and strengthen a brand which needs all the help it can get.

About David Rogers

Editor for The Comeback and Contributing Editor for Awful Announcing. Lover of hockey, soccer and all things pop culture.